Memphis 2009 Marathon Photos

2009 Memphis St. Jude Marathon Photos

Beale Street

FINISH

Medal

ELVIS'

My Dad and Me After the Race

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Memphis St. Jude Marathon Breakdown and Splits

Here is my 2nd marathon run and my PR of 4:24.19. The actual time shows I ran a little bit longer as I was busy wandering around for a minute before I turned off my watch. Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 263 ft Location: Memphis, TN Elev. Gain: -14 ft Date: 12/05/09 Up/Downhill: [+839/-853] Time: 08:16 AM Difficulty: 4.2 / 5.0 Weather: Fair 40 F temp; 32% humidity 40 F heat index; winds NE 5 Performance Distance: 26.43 miles Time: 4:25:08 Speed: 6.0 mph Pace: 10' 02 /mi Calories: 3198 Map Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 40 -0' 22 6.2 +0.2 +16 ft 2 9' 23 -0' 39 6.4 +0.4 -33 ft 3 9' 13 -0' 49 6.5 +0.5 +17 ft 4 8' 21 -1' 41 7.2 +1.2 +7 ft 5 8' 25 -1' 37 7.1 +1.1 -29 ft 6 9' 28 -0' 34 6.3 +0.3 +32 ft 7 9' 21 -0' 41 6.4 +0.4 -6 ft 8 9' 23 -0' 39 6.4 +0.4 +3 ft 9 9' 30 -0' 32 6.3 +0.3 +10 ft 10 9' 43 -0' 19 6.2 +0.2 +33 ft 11 9' 26 -0' 36 6.4 +0.4 -49 ft 12 9' 36 -0' 26 6.2 +0.3 +13 ft 13 9' 30 -0' 32 6.3 +0.3 -13 ft 14 9' 42 -0' 20 6.2 +0.2 0 ft 15 10' 05 +0' 03 6.0 -0.0 +10 ft 16 10' 19 +0' 17 5.8 -0.2 +36 ft 17 10' 00 -0' 02 6.0 +0.0 +3 ft 18 10' 25 +0' 23 5.8 -0.2 -3 ft 19 11' 40 +1' 38 5.1 -0.8 +20 ft 20 11' 55 +1' 53 5.0 -1.0 -36 ft 21 10' 22 +0' 20 5.8 -0.2 0 ft 22 11' 34 +1' 32 5.2 -0.8 -26 ft 23 10' 49 +0' 47 5.5 -0.4 -10 ft 24 10' 44 +0' 42 5.6 -0.4 +6 ft 25 10' 34 +0' 32 5.7 -0.3 -23 ft 26 10' 08 +0' 06 5.9 -0.1 +19 ft end 9' 34 -0' 28 6.3 +0.3 -9 ft Versus average of 10' 02 min/mile

Posted from http://www.bimactive.com/

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Memphis St. Jude Marathon Race Report

And to think I thought this thing would be easier than my first marathon.

The temperature indicator on the car said 24 degrees. The day was not off to a good start. My goal this year was to make it to mile 20 before experiencing much pain. Last year my calves inexplicably starting hurting before mile 14. I had to fight the last 12 1/2 miles by stopping every 1/4 mile and hugging street lights and praying for the energy to make it to the finish.

I was determined that this year was going to be different. While I had not trained as much for this marathon, I felt I had trained smarter. My goal was not to go out as fast and try to make this as enjoyable as possible.

Like most of my runs, the first 2 miles were difficult trying to find a rhythm. However I got in a groove and comfortably went out at a pretty good pace. The best part of the marathon was a new route that took us through the St. Jude campus. As we entered the campus there was a large balloon entrance with a large band playing as we entered in. As we entered in there were patients from St. Jude and their parents cheering us on and specifically the St. Jude Fundraising Hereos who were identified by their maroon singlets. It was a very emotional 1/2 mile. I kind of wanted to turn around and do it again.

I continued to run in the cold and was optimistic that I was doing better than last year. I reached the half marathon point feeling that I still had "some" gas left in the tank. At around mile 14 my parents were standing on the side of the street. Although they didn't know it, this was almost the exact spot that I broke down last year. Although tired I pushed onward as I was very enouraged that I had passed the beginning of last years disaster.

At around mile 17 my right calf starting twitching and contracting uncontrollably. I knew if I had an all out cramp I would be done. A couple of minutes later the left calf starting contracting also. I started calculating the cost. Could I walk the last 9 miles? It would take me 3 hours but at least I would get a medal. I stopped and walked for about a minute as I felt the lactic acid build up in my legs. It was almost more painful to walk as my body was starting to stiffin up.

I started to make small goals for myself. I told myself I was going to run to the street light 200 yards away and then I would walk for 20 seconds. I did this for about 2 miles or so and then I decided I could make longer goals. At mile 19 I said I was going to try to run a mile to the 20 mile mark and then stop at the water station and walk for about 30 seconds and then try to make it to the next mile. At this time everything in me was starting to hurt. My left knee which had never given me problems was hurting. Both of my hamstrings were hurting and my calf muscles were both sporadically contrating and I was afraid at any moment I was going to collapse in the street with an all out cramp. My strategy was working however and somehow I was able to fight through the pain without stopping too much. I gave myself permission to stop one more time at mile 24.5 and then I challenged myself not to stop again. I was so close to the finish line and at this point there was no doubt that again I had fought through so many obstacles and I was going to finish my second marathon.

I ran the last mile and a half probably quicker than any mile since mile 13. Fighting through the pain I passed several people who were walking. Then I saw the stadium in the distance and I immediately imagined the feeling of collapsing in the infield after finishing. This gave me the motivation to make it without stopping.

The enterance of the stadium had lines of people on both sides cheering. I started in with a very good stride which turned into a near sprint. I gave a guy a homeless guy a high five as i entered into the crowd. I could hear people yelling good job hero (reminding me of the real reason of the marathon) as I entered the stadium. As I entered the stadium I couldn't help but sprint as hard as I could. I heard many cheers as I rounded the corner of the outfield and headed towards the finish line.

Nothing feels better than raising your hands after 26.2 miles and proclaiming "I have finished the race."

I finished the race at 4:24.19 which was a marathon personal best for me and 10 minutes better than my only other marathon of last year. This is a good thing too. I am still trying to think of which hospital I would have been taken to if I had run an extra 10 minutes.

After getting a picture with the two Elvis' I started to leave the stadium and I started shaking uncontrollably due to the cold. As my dad was getting in the car I walked into the Peabody Hotel and laid in the lobby and was shivering and shaking uncontrollably. I had many people come up to me and ask if I was ok and I promised them I was getting better every second. Finally after about 20 minutes I stopped shaking. It didn't matter though. It was a small price to pay for crossing the finish line and fulfilling my promise to my sponsors. It was a small price to pay for the children of St. Jude.

Today I get to rest. I get several days off from this physically exhausting endeavor. The children of St. Jude get no days off. They fight every day.

That is why I plan on doing this again next year. My sponsors have donated almost $1900 and over $3,000 for the 2 years I have been doing this. I am so proud and thankful for all of you who sponsored me and encouraged me along the way. This was in no way easy and your support was instrumental in me crossing this finish line for a second time.

In honor of the children of St. Jude, would you consider joining me again in 2010?

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Sometimes The Moments That Challenge Us The Most, Define Us.

“Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most, define us.” - Deena Kastor in Spirit of the Marathon.
This quote is a fantastic motivator. As a Christian I believe the quote is off. I believe what truly defines us is our position in Jesus Christ. I believe our relationship with Him, or lack of one, is what truly defines us and what matters more than anything. However I understand the spirit behind this quote by Deena Kastor.

It is the great challenges in our lives and our subsequent responses that everyone remembers. It is the responses to our greatest adversities that will shape us. They can shape us for the good or for the worse. No one is inspired by the ordinary.

Physically there is no greater challenge I have ever attempted than a marathon. On Saturday I will cross the starting line for my second one. The challenge is compelling as the task is very great. While some 15,000 people will run in the half or full marathon on Saturday, over 100,000 people will line up to watch and cheer. There is something fascinating about someone who embraces a challenge and overcomes it. I do not write this to exhault myself but point out the parallels that truly are important.

On Saturday I will run both for myself but more importantly, I will run for the children of St. Jude. Can you imagine the challenges they face? For many it was the first time they were told they were really sick and would have to travel to Memphis for treatment. While most children are terrified of getting a shot, these children were introduced to chemotherapy. I remember a poem that was written on the wall of St. Jude last year that was titled "Cancer Will Not Defeat Me." A little kid had to write those words. While many kids were writing letters to Santa Claus, this kid called out cancer and proclaimed he would win! I am going back to St. Jude tomorrow with a camera. I am seeking out this poem.

These children have faced great challenges. Every one of them has no choice but to fight this terrible disease head on. I think of them and I think of the children I have already followed. I think of Joseph, Hoover and Josiah. I think of their parents and all of the parents who have fought this disease with their child and had to tell their child goodbye. I am inspired beyond words. These people are truly my inspiration. Their challenges have shaped my life and convict me to make something more of my life.

So Saturday I will run for something far more significant than myself. Through my friends and supporters we have raised over $1,800 and more than $3,000 over the last two years for St. Jude. So far the runners in the race have raised over $1,500,000 this year.

Thanks to you all for helping make this race so significant for me and for the children who continue to inspire me. In honor of all these children who refuse to quit and continue to fight, I will do everything I can on Saturday to honor them by finishing the 26.2 mile race... no matter how difficult the challenge may be.

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Marathon Week

I can't believe it is here. The week of the marathon has arrived. A month ago I never would have thought I would have made it to this point without much pain. The last year has been one of great difficulty for me. Here is a quick summary of my year.

2 weeks after the Memphis St. Jude Marathon last year, I got out to do a 4 mile run. After less than a mile I had to stop. My knee was in so much pain, I couldn't run another step. After a couple of months my knee did not get better so I went to several weeks of physical therapy. While this helped, I was still unable to run farther than 5 miles without pain. I had a couple of cortizone injections in my knee which freed me up to run a half marathon in April. However in June I ran a 10 mile race and the next day was unable to walk due to the pain. I began wondering if I would ever be able to run a marathon again.

I had not run more than 13 miles in almost a year and then during the end of October I decided I was going to try to run 18 miles. I had a new knee brace and was going to run as long as I could. I never really thought I could have done the full 18. However mile after mile I got more confidence. While my knee ached, it never really got any worse. After almost 3 hours, I finished my run and knew my hopes for running the Memphis St. Jude Marathon were alive once again. Since then I have run 20 miles and several other long runs to help me gain the confidence for this great marathon. As this month ends, I will have run almost 130 miles for the month.

So here I am the week of the marathon, feeling so blessed and so inspired. Pending some unforseable event, I am 6 days away from standing at the starting line for the children of St. Jude. Unlike the last marathon, I feel like this one is a complete gift. One God has enabled me to attempt as I really have no reason as to why my knee has strengthened enough to allow this great run. But I do know on December 5th I will run down the streets of Memphis once again for more than 4 hours. I will again be inspired by the famlies of the children of St. Jude who come out to encourage us as we "run with endurance a race that has been marked out before us." While this race is nothing compared to the great race we run as mentioned in Hebrews 12, the race on Saturday is so much more than a race.

To date 30 people have sponsored me this year as we have raised almost $1700 for St. Jude. We have raised $2,900 for a two year total. I am so thankful to everyone who has sponsored me and encouraged me. I will be blogging a good bit for the next week. Thanks for following along.

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Last Double Digit Training Run and A Nice Video

No more double digit runs until the marathon. Over the next couple of weeks I should be able to take my focus off of training and more on what I am running for. Activity Route: -- Elev. Avg: 0 ft Location: Spring Hill, TN Elev. Gain: +0 ft Date: 11/22/09 Up/Downhill: [+0/-0] Time: 09:21 AM Difficulty: 0 / 5.0 Weather: Overcast 52 F temp; 68% humidity 52 F heat index; winds Calm Performance Distance: 12.00 miles Time: 1:47:21 Speed: 6.7 mph Pace: 8' 57 /mi Calories: 1450 Map Elevation (ft) Pace (min/mile) Splits Mile Pace (min/mile) Speed (mph) Elevation Gain actual +/- avg actual +/- avg 1 9' 05 +0' 08 6.6 -0.1 -- ft 2 9' 07 +0' 10 6.6 -0.1 -- ft 3 9' 02 +0' 05 6.6 -0.1 -- ft 4 8' 59 +0' 02 6.7 -0.0 -- ft 5 8' 56 -0' 01 6.7 +0.0 -- ft 6 8' 59 +0' 02 6.7 -0.0 -- ft 7 9' 00 +0' 03 6.7 -0.0 -- ft 8 8' 55 -0' 02 6.7 +0.0 -- ft 9 9' 02 +0' 05 6.6 -0.1 -- ft 10 9' 12 +0' 15 6.5 -0.2 -- ft 11 8' 46 -0' 11 6.8 +0.1 -- ft end 8' 22 -0' 35 7.2 +0.5 -- ft Versus average of 8' 57 min/mile

Posted from www.bimactive.com

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20 Miles

Dear 20 mile run,

It has been a year since we last met.

You are as annoying and ugly as I remember you.

It is no wonder you have no friends.

Frankly, I hate you.

After multiple injuries and setbacks, I wasn't confident that I would be physically able to meet you at all this week. However Friday morning I laced up my shoes and decided to meet you head on. I ignored my knee soreness and my hamstring tightness and decided if I was not going to run 20 miles, it would not be because I didn't try. I almost threw up a couple of times during the run. But 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 9 seconds later, I overcame you again. Not only did I overcome you but this time, although undertrained, I met your challenege without stopping.

Last year I had to stop at mile 18 during my training on a flat course. This time I took on you and your ugly, repgunant self with hills. During the marathon last year I had to stop at mile 14. This year I finished your challenge without relenting.

I'll see you again in three weeks for my second marathon.

I'll remember to wave as I pass by.

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